Rodriguez has been linked with a loan move to West Ham and it has been suggested on Spanish radio this weekend that Morata has agreed a deal to move on loan to Arsenal in January - all that's required is the green light from the Bernabeu brass.

Both the young forwards drew saves from the busy Marino, but it was Bale's light shining brightest when the whistle sounded out for full time.

Madrid are now temporarily only three points behind Barcelona, who travel to Athletic Bilbao on Sunday, at the top of La Liga.